Funded Projects
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2023: Funded Programs and Giving
$842,732
Total Giving in 2023
$ 2 MM
Allocated to Partners and Programs Since 2019
$10 MM
Endowment Fund for Sustained Giving
10%
Disbursement Quota
44
Charities Supported in 2023
69
Unique Charity Partners Since 2019
Childhood Cancer Research and Programs
DECRYPT: Defeating Embryonal Cancer in Young People Together
The Defeating Embryonal Cancer in Young People Together (DECRYPT) Research Grant is intended to challenge the current childhood embryonal cancer landscape by providing funding for a research project that will address an unmet need for these pediatric brain cancers. The DECRYPT grant is designed to fund research that will ideally lead to a significant change in the understanding, diagnosis, and/or treatment of childhood embryonal brain tumours.
The DECRYPT Research Grant provides a significant investment of $600,000 CAD for one 4-year research project.
This grant is co-funded by Kindred Foundation, Cancer Research Society, The Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation, The Miracle Marnie Foundation, Childhood Cancer Canada and Tali's Fund.
In December 2023, the inaugural DECRYPT Grant was awarded to Dr. Annie Huang from SickKids and her team for:
A C17 Babybrains DECRYPT feasibility trial for children under 6 years old with high-risk embryonal brain tumours
The ACTION Consortium: Funding Neuroblastoma Cancer Research
The ACTION Consortium is a collective force committed to Advancing Clinical Trial Implementation and Optimisation in Neuroblastoma (ACTION).
Founded by five non-profit organizations: The Anticancer Fund, The Evan Foundation, Kindred Foundation, Solving Kids’ Cancer UK and Zoé4Life.
Kindred Foundation is funding the Canadian operations of this grant, providing $600,000 CAD over four years.
Childhood Blood Cancer Research Innovation Grant (2022-2024)
Kindred Foundation partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) to co-fund two pediatric blood cancer research innovation grants. These were the first-ever childhood cancer-focused research grants provided by LLSC and Kindred was proud to partner on this initiative. The two grants co-funded are:
Dr. Cynthia Guidos at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto): Identifying the Genetic Changes that Lead to Ruxolitinib Resistance. This research aims to understand why some children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have their cancer come back after treatment, even with the addition of new targeted therapies like ruxolitinib. The goal is to understand how some cancers can outsmart drugs and use these results to develop new therapies that are smarter than cancer.
Dr. Florian Kuchenbauer at BC Cancer (Vancouver): MiR-193a-Based LNP Drug Treatment for Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia (pAML). mRNA-based therapies have helped to change the way vaccines are developed, such as those for COVID-19. This research will use special mRNA-based therapies to treat pAML in hopes of reducing the amount of chemotherapy that is used to treat the cancer and reduce treatment related side-effects for children.
100% Fund Grants
The “100% Fund” is a childhood cancer research grant managed by the C17 Council where every dollar raised goes towards research and no administrative fees are taken at any step in the process. For 2023, Kindred was able to co-fund two 100% Fund grants due to the incredible support from Project Kindness 2023 - a fundraiser with CMLS Financial and Intellifi Corporation.
The first 100% Fund grant focuses on rhabdomyosarcoma, a very hard-to-cure childhood cancer. This research grant is jointly funded by four childhood cancer charities – Fight Like Mason Foundation, Eli’s Childhood Cancer Foundation, Kindred Foundation, and Team Finn Foundation.
The second 100% Fund grant focuses on osteosarcoma, the same cancer that Terry Fox had with treatments unchanged for children and young adults in over 30 years. This is jointly funded by The AnnFrances Tropea Foundation, Kindred Foundation, and Childhood Cancer Canada. The 100% Fund grant provides $100,000 over two years to improve treatment outcomes, treatment options, and/or quality of life.
Learn more about how Kindred Foundation is funding childhood cancer initiatives.
Cancer Support Programs
Treats & Treasures Cart:
A Cart that is filled with a wide assortment of toys, healthy snacks, and candy that is brought around to children and families in the hematology and oncology ward every week at no cost to them.
There are 4 Treats & Treasures Carts in hospitals across Canada!
U-Link Patient and Family Fund:
A financial program for families across Canada who must travel to access treatment through clinical trials for children and adolescents with cancer.
Family Support Package Program:
When a child, adolescent, or young adult is diagnosed with cancer, the economic impact on the patient and family is enormous. A package of gift cards is given to families by their Social Worker when they need it most to bring a little relief and joy. $350 is provided to help with expenses and bring a little joy to childhood cancer patients and their families.
SickKids Oncology Resource Navigator:
Providing funding for 3 years (since 2021) for one of the two pediatric oncology Resource Navigator positions at SickKids in Toronto, Ontario.
Resource Navigators provide guidance to patients and families on issues such as travel and financial support.
Youth Mental and Physical Health
Mental and Physical Health Initiatives Supported by Kindred:
Fit ABCS Clinical Trial by the Mabbott Lab at SickKids: Funding for a clinical trial examining the effectiveness of the Fit ABCS online portal that aims to promote brain repair for childhood brain tumour survivors by fostering physical activity. Kindred Foundation also helped fund the development of the Fit ABCS online portal.
Adventure4Change: Address issues related to poverty and inequity for children, youth, and families. A4C serves racialized families living in Waterloo, Ontario through youth programming, leadership development, and community building.
It Gets Better Canada: To uplift, empower, and connect Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) youth across Canada through storytelling and building community. It Gets Better Canada (IGBC) highlights stories of hope, resilience, and determination from the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies.
Just Be You: Peer-based mental health support for youth at two locations in Halton that is youth-led and youth-focused. Focus on mental wellness through peer support and social recreation, including exploring strengths and learning wellness strategies.
Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council: The Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council is a community-based non-profit working to improve awareness of and engagement in suicide prevention within the Waterloo region and beyond to reduce suicide and its impact.
Youth Mental Health Grant:
In 2022, Kindred Foundation launched the inaugural Youth Mental Health Grant. This grant aims to ensure that organizations directly assisting Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth communities with mental health challenges and illnesses have the funds they need to carry out their mission.
Since 2022, $330,000 has been donated to grassroots organizations across Canada providing mental health care and support to youth.
Kindred Foundation is honoured to be guided by The Black Health Alliance and It Gets Better Canada.
Scholarships:
Kindred Foundation partners with organizations to provide scholarships at colleges or universities across Canada to educate and empower students from marginalized communities to help youth realize their dreams. Scholarships are a crucial part of our Youth Mental Health strategy.
Kindred Foundation x Adventure4Change Scholarship
Black Education Fund Roster Scholarship
Black Business and Professional Association
Community Support
Kindred Foundation Program:
Kindred Cares Grant:
The Kindred Cares Grant funds programs, projects, and research in hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care for adults and children with life-limiting conditions.
The Kindred Cares Grant has supported 12 children and adult hospice and palliative care initiatives.
Cancer Support Programs:
SickKids Oncology Resource Navigator:
Providing funding for 3 years (since 2021) for one of the two pediatric oncology Resource Navigator positions at SickKids in Toronto, Ontario.
Resource Navigators provide guidance to patients and families on issues such as travel and financial support.
Childhood Cancer Canada Benevolent Fund:
Provides funding support to families to help pay for funeral costs if a child dies from cancer.
Wellspring Cancer Support:
Kindred Foundation provides an unrestricted donation to Wellspring, a Canadian organization offering programs and services to anyone with any type of cancer at no charge or referral.
Food Security:
Burlington Friday Meal and Hub (Ontario): A collective dining experience surrounded by mental and physical health supports for families and individuals experiencing food insecurity in Burlington, Ontario and surrounding area. Kindred provides operational support and in-person volunteer hours.
YWCA Peterborough and Haliburton Nourish Program (Ontario): Nourish combines dignified access to nutritious food, gardening, and cooking skills along with programming designed to empower individuals to advocate for themselves and others and grow a just food system for all.
Weston Area Emergency Support (WAES) (Ontario): A collaboration of local churches in the Weston, Ontario area provides a food bank for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
Making A Difference Annual Reports
Each January, Kindred Foundation publishes a report that outlines the ways we were able to make a difference over the year.